Enslaved?

In Galatians 3:24-26 Paul wrote, “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” (ESV)

The word guardian is translated from the Greek word that literally translates to pedagogue, which was an entrusted slave used to look after children, but also expected to teach the child basic social skills not taught in school.

Think about this idea for a moment.  A father willingly gives his child to an entrusted slave (pedagogue).  The child, essentially a free human (non-slave), is under the authority of the slave.  That slave has the responsibility to teach the child socially acceptable behavior.  Lessons such as hygiene, grooming, appropriate dress, manners, respect for authority, nutrition, and any other skills necessary to fit in with society.  The father willingly has his child submit to a slave to be taught basic skills to live harmoniously within society. 

Does the father put the child under the authority of the slave, in order to actually turn the child into a slave?

Does the father put the child under the authority of the slave, only to expect that one day the slave will replace the role of the father?

When the father deems the child no longer needs to be under the submissive authority of the pedagogue, do you think the child is then told by the father to disregard all that was taught? 

These questions seem absurd to even consider.

The child is willingly placed under the authority of a slave to be taught.  The child learns to respect the slave and the authority given from the father.  Eventually the child begins to willingly follow these basic rules out of respect for his father, respect for the pedagogue (slave), and to live harmoniously in society.

Paul could not have chosen a better analogy to illustrate to the assembly then, and NOW, how to understand God’s word.   God gave us a pedagogue in written form.   God gave us these basic instructions for the purpose of instructing, not enslaving, us. Yet, we (man) have twisted the meaning of this instruction manual, convincing ourselves that it is designed to enslave us and since it isn’t required, then it is OK to pick and choose which instructions we want to follow or not.

Why in the world would we ever intentionally disregard God’s basic instruction manual for living?  He created us.  Don’t you think he knows what is best for our diet?  Don’t you think he knows what’s best for our bodies, our health, our hearts, our relationship, etc?  Why would we NOT follow this basic instruction manual?  Not seeking justification, salvation, or redemption, but from a place of love and respect for The Creator of this manual.

Since God began to reveal this to me about 6 months ago, I have struggled with how to walk the walk and not just talk the talk (or write the blog).  I have come to realize that there are really only 3 significant issues that most Christians do not like: Sabbath, diet, and the holy days (feasts). 

I would challenge anyone to not ask “Why would you follow that law when we don’t have to anymore?”

Instead, ask, “If you really love Him, why wouldn’t you follow these basic instructions that He gave us to help us?”

I am choosing to follow.  I am choosing to learn how to obey and what to obey.  I am choosing because I’ve realize two significant things. 

   1)      Throughout the Old and New Testament we are told if we love Him we will obey Him.

   2)      Why wouldn’t I follow the instructions given by the one who created me? 

Find scriptural evidence that is contrary.

o   John 14:15 - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

o   Matthew 5:19 - “Therefore whoever relaxes  one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least  in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great  in the kingdom of heaven.”

o   John 14:23-24 - Jesus answered him,  “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and  we will come to him and  make our home with him.  Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.”

o   Matthew 19:17 - And he said to him,  “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good.  If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

o   Romans 7:12 - So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

o   Galatians 3:21 – Is the law contrary to the promises of God? Certainly Not!

o   Romans 3:31 - Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

The only time in scripture is God’s law spoken negatively is when in reference to those attempting to use the law for justification or salvation, and even then it isn’t the law that is being put down it is the misuse of the law. 

There are plenty of references that, if taken at face value without research, appear to be anti-law.  See my studies about Works of the Law (Part 1 & Part 2) to better understand my point.

Secondly, just use some logic.  Can you imagine being a farmer and not following the basic guidelines and instructions for the equipment you use?  Would you even consider saying something like, “Well, I don’t have to follow the instructions, so why should I?”  How quickly could you break something or get hurt?  If you did not follow planting instructions how would your crops turn out?

God’s guidebook, the Torah, is no different.  I am a complete infant in trying to understand from the correct perspective.  I feel like a toddler trying to decipher and understand what is meant and how much information there is, but I’m trying.  I'm not dismissive.  I spend dedicated time almost daily trying to better understand, through prayer and reading.  I am learning new stuff all of the time, and working to apply it to my life. 

I do this not because I am required to for my salvation, but because I want to out of reverence for the one who not only created me, but created the instruction manual for my life.  Who am I to consider that I am smart enough to pick and choose which rules in the instruction manual are good enough to follow and which ones are not important?

I love God but more so, I love how He loves me.  I love how He accepts me as I am and is guiding me to be closer to Him.  I love that He gave me instructions for a better life, better health, better relationships, and to better know Him.

Shabbat Shalom 

Adopted Sons and Heirs - Lesson 8

Galatians 3:24 – 4:7

Paul continues to use the analogy of the pedagogue into chapter 4 of Galatians.  Remember that a pedagogue (guardian) is a slave in charge of a child.  The child is free, essentially, and the heir to the owner of the slave.  Consider that a “free” child is under the care and direction of a slave, until the time that the father determines the child is capable.

·         Summary from lesson 7 regarding the word guardian, tutor, or schoolmaster (v3:24-25)

o   Greek word – Pedagogue:  A slave, typically older and proven to be trustworthy, that had the responsibility of caring for children. 

o   Paul used a pedagogue as an analogy for the law (Torah), which fits so well because within the law are not only common legal issues such as do not lie, commit adultery, or murder, but also hygiene guidelines, health and nutrition, how to treat employees, slaves, and neighbors.  It was full manual on how to organize a community, including social interaction, manners, hygiene, etc. 

o   Paul then finishes that part of the analogy by essentially saying the guardian (pedagogue) has “handed us off” to the teacher (Christ) as a pedagogue would have relinquished responsibility to the teacher.

o   To fully understand Paul’s analogy though, would that child then disregard everything the pedagogue taught?  Would the teacher tell the child to disregard everything the pedagogue taught?  Of course not!  As Christ did not ask us to disregard the law, but to obey. 

o   Paul’s point is not to disregard the law, but to put it in its proper place.  It is NOT designed as justification or salvation.

·         v4:1-2 – Paul continues his analogy of the pedagogue, by pointing out the irony that a free child, an heir, is essentially under the authority of the slave. 

·         V4:3-6 – The direct comparison to believers.   

o   We are the children.  God is the father.  God provided us with a set of instructions to guide us and teach us how to live as a community.  Unfortunately men had turned that into a legalistic form of justification with God, which it was never intended to be. 

o   God provided us with Jesus, the messiah, “freeing” us from the slavery of the law. 

o   However, remember, as a child the pedagogue teaches all social skills needed.  When becoming an adult, those skills are not disregarded, but followed willingly.

·         v5-7 – We are adopted sons and heirs

o   Romans 11:17 – we are grafted in.  Critical to remember that we are the adopted sons.  We, as Gentiles are the grafted in, adopted sons and daughters of Israel.  Not the replacement.

o   Romans 8:12-17 – Heirs and adopted sons

o   v7 – We are HEIRS?!?  Heirs to what? 

§  Remember the context of this whole segment and letter.  Just a few verses earlier in chapter 3, Paul is discussing the promise of inheritance to Abraham.

§  We, as believing Gentiles, and adopted sons and heirs, in are going to share in the inheritance promised to His chosen people.

§  Ephesians 3:6 – “Gentiles are fellow heirs…”

§  The depth of this promise and inheritance is probably a study all by itself.